the frustration has ordinary americans taking action. abc's jake tapper reports. >> reporter: in arlington, texas, data analyst deborah page was watching the sunday political talk shows when she got angry. >> the president's idea of a negotiation is rolling over and do what i ask. >> we're not going to extend the tax rate to the top 2%. >> if i was working the way congress and the president are working, i would be probably lose my job. >> reporter: so page went on to petition page on the white house website and wrote a petition that would cease paycheck and health benefits for members of congress and the president until the fiscal cliff is avoided. unlikely, but a reflection of voter frustration as both sides dig in. the white house demanding higher tax rates for the top two tax brackets, and the republicans refusing. after rejecting the obama administration proposal last week, house republicans offered an outline for $2.2 trillion in deficit reduction, mostly through spending cuts. and while president obama would not answer questions ab